# Places vs tripbff

The clearest difference is rating: tripbff at 4.7 against Places's 4.2. tripbff also leads on ratings volume (3.9K vs 179) and update cadence (every 4 days vs every 2 weeks). Places's advantage is ads (none vs shown). On price, review sentiment, in-app purchases and monetization model there is nothing between them.

Both are free to download. Places sells 5 in-app purchases, starting at $39.99 per year and tripbff sells 13 in-app purchases, starting at $4.99 per month. Whichever you choose, the download price is not the number that matters.

tripbff holds the better App Store score, 4.7 against 4.2. That said, the two scores are not equally well evidenced: tripbff has 3.9K ratings behind it against 179, so its average is the more settled of the two. Written reviews split almost evenly too, at 46% and 45% positive.

Places ships an update every 2 weeks, tripbff every 4 days. The most recent releases landed on September 21, 2026 and September 23, 2026 respectively.

## The numbers

| Metric | Places | tripbff |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Price | Free | Free |
| Rating | [4.2 (179 ratings)](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/places-curated-travel-guide/id6446208302/reviews) | **[4.7 (3.9K ratings)](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/tripbff-travel-friends/id6450123749/reviews)** |
| Number of ratings | 179 | **3.9K** |
| Positive reviews | **45.7% of reviews** | 44.9% of reviews |
| In-app purchases | Yes | Yes |
| Ads | **No** | Yes |
| Update frequency | Every 2 weeks | **Every 4 days** |
| Monetization | Subscription | Subscription |
| Best chart rank | #54 | **#47** |
| Size | 273 MB | 119 MB |
| Requires iOS | **16.0** | 17.0 |
| Devices | iPhone | iPhone |
| Age rating | 4+ | 17+ |
| Developer | [Raya App Inc](https://appshunter.io/developer/957215307) | [TRIPBFF LLC](https://appshunter.io/developer/1691926854) |

## What reviewers say

### Places

[App page](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/places-curated-travel-guide/id6446208302)

**Currently charting:** #54 Top Grossing · Travel, #205 Top Free · Travel (US App Store)

Discover exceptional destinations worldwide with hand-selected recommendations from global experts. Personalized suggestions and unique finds ensure every trip is memorable. Membership unlocks full access to curated stays, dining, and cultural spots.

**Highlights:** Expert-curated global destinations, Personalized suggestions, Unique stays and bistros, Emerging galleries, Global curator network

**In-app purchases (5)**

| Purchase | Price | Billing |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Annual Membership | $39.99 | per year |
| Annual Membership | $39.99 | per year |
| Seasonal Membership | $39.99 | per 3 months |
| Annual Membership | $39.99 | per year |
| Monthly Membership | $39.99 | per month |

**What reviewers like**

- ✨ Beautifully curated suggestions
- 👍 Essential for travel and local discovery
- 🌟 Best among travel apps
- 💯 Human curation is a highlight
- 🗺️ Useful for navigating new cities

**What reviewers complain about**

- ❌ Outdated information (closed businesses)
- ❌ No way to report outdated information
- ❌ Dark-pattern onboarding flow
- ❌ Forces annual membership purchase
- ❌ Cannot see service without paying

**Reported bugs**

- Businesses listed as open are actually closed
- Cannot report outdated information
- App crashes or is not functional
- Cannot log in to previous accounts (lifetime free)
- Login screen freezes

**Requested features**

- Ability to report outdated business information
- Option to delete profile
- Dark mode
- Advanced analytics dashboard
- Incentives for trying businesses (like Neon Coat or Beauty Pass)


### tripbff

[App page](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/tripbff-travel-friends/id6450123749)

**Currently charting:** #47 Top Grossing · Travel (US App Store)

Connect with like-minded solo travelers to find adventure companions and create lasting memories. Discover fellow explorers, share travel tips, and build genuine connections for your next journey.

**Highlights:** Find travel friends, Connect with solo travelers, Share travel tips and guides, Create group chats, Discover hidden gems, Coordinate travel plans

**Features:** Vision Pro support

**In-app purchases (13)**

| Purchase | Price | Billing |
| --- | --- | --- |
| TripBFF+ (1 Month) | $4.99 | per month |
| TripBFF Pro+ 1 Month | $6.99 | per month |
| TripBFF Pro 1 Week | $6.99 | per 7 days |
| TripBFF Pro 1 Week | $14.99 | per 7 days |
| TripBFF Pro 1 Month | $14.99 | per month |
| TripBFF Pro 1 Month | $19.99 | per month |
| TripBFF Pro 3 Months | $24.99 | per 3 months |
| TripBFF Pro Annual | $29.99 | per year |
| TripBFF+ (1 Year) | $39.99 | per year |
| TripBFF Pro 3 Months | $39.99 | per 3 months |
| TripBFF Pro+ 1 Year | $55.99 | per year |
| TripBFF Pro+ 1 Year | $79.99 | per year |
| TripBFF Pro 1 Year | $79.99 | per year |

**What reviewers like**

- 🌍 Great way to meet travelers
- 🤝 Connects like-minded people
- 🧭 Helpful for solo travelers
- 🌐 Ability to plan trips with others
- 🤩 Exciting concept and app

**What reviewers complain about**

- 🐛 App crashes and glitches
- 🔑 Verification issues and bans
- 💰 Expensive subscription
- 🚫 Lack of user moderation
- 🤖 Potential bot/fake profiles

**Reported bugs**

- App crashes on login or profile access
- Inability to update profile information
- Nearby travelers feature not working
- Compatibility issues with newer devices
- Delayed or non-responsive customer support

**Requested features**

- More filter and search options
- Ability to remove users from groups
- Improved notification system
- Integration with travel booking sites
- User verification and safety features


## Frequently asked questions

### Is Places free?

Places is free to download, with in-app purchases available.

### Is tripbff free?

tripbff is free to download, with in-app purchases available.

### Which has better reviews, Places or tripbff?

tripbff is rated higher. Places averages 4.2 out of 5 from 179 ratings, while tripbff averages 4.7 from 3.9K ratings.

### Do Places or tripbff have ads?

tripbff shows ads; Places does not.

### Which is updated more often, Places or tripbff?

Places ships an update every 2 weeks, and tripbff every 4 days. Most recently, Places was updated on September 21, 2026 and tripbff on September 23, 2026.

### Which is more popular, Places or tripbff?

Places currently peaks at #54 in the App Store charts, and tripbff at #47. Chart position reflects recent download velocity rather than total install base.

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*Compared by [AppsHunter](https://appshunter.io/) from daily US App Store data. Review summaries are generated from verbatim App Store reviews.*